On Friday 15 July, the European Commission decided to open infringement proceedings against Hungary (formal notice) regarding a prior notification scheme of cereal export, introduced by the Hungarian authorities.
The prior notification allows the authorities to pre-empt the sale or to purchase the cereals to be exported, before the export takes place.
The European Commission considers the measure to be incompatible with EU rules on common market organisation and on common rules for exports.
According to the European Commission, the Hungarian measure cannot be justified by the pursuit at national level of special economic objectives to be attained at Union level and, in any event, there is currently no need for any action pursuing security of supply of cereals within the Union.
Hungary has two months to respond to the Commission. Failing that, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)